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Akron, OH – August 8, 2014 – The USSSA Pride’s pitching staff has been as potent as any in the NPF this season. Tonight, the Racers’ bats stayed hot, though, running through four Pride pitchers in the 8-3 win.

The Racers took an early lead off of starter Chelsea Thomas. Nerissa Myers singled to center field in the first inning, and after Charlotte Morgan walked, Jessica Garcia singled to left field to drive in Myers. Taylor Schlopy doubled to drive in Morgan and give the Racers a two run lead.

In the second inning, Ayumi Karino walked, and that was the end of Thomas’ night. Thomas threw 1.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 3 hits, walking 2 and striking out 2 Racers hitters. Jill Barrett welcomed Danielle Lawrie to the game by smacking a double to left field and giving the Racers a 3-0 lead. The double gave Barrett sole possession of the league lead in doubles, with 8 on the season.

Racers ace Rachele Fico held the Pride scoreless in the first two innings, but in the top of the third, the Pride closed the gap when Natasha Watley and Caitlin Lowe singled off of Fico, followed by an Andrea Duran walk. Amanda Kamekona reached first on an error by Kelley Montalvo that allowed Watley to score. Cassie Tysarczyk entered the game to pinch run for Kamekona and DiSalvatore reached base on a fielder’s choice that allowed Lowe to score and cut the Racers lead to one.

The Racers answered in the fourth inning, when Barrett reached on a two base error by Lawrie. Nerissa Myers then doubled to drive in Barrett and Garcia singled to center to drive in Myers. Lawrie walked Haley Outon before Blaire Luna entered the game and get Montalvo to ground into a fielder’s choice. Lawrie threw 2.1 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walking 3 and striking out 1.

In the fifth inning, Fico loaded the bases when Lowe reached on an error by second baseman Ashley Thomas, Kamekona singled to left and Andrea Duran walked. That ended Fico’s night, having thrown 4.1 innings, and allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits, walking 3 and striking out 3. Hannah Campbell entered the game in a pressure situation, but struck out Kelly Kretschman and got pinch hitter Kristyn Sandberg to pop out to Montalvo in foul territory to get out of the jam.

Luna only faced three batters on the night, including Ashley Thomas who singled to right field before Karino sacrificed her to second. In her .2 innings of work, Luna allowed no runs and only 1 hit. Jordan Taylor then entered the game for the Pride and got fly-outs from Barrett and Morgan to get out of the inning.

The Pride threatened in the top of the sixth, when Watley and Lowe singled off of Campbell to put runners at the corners. That marked the end of Campbell’s night, as she threw 1.1 innings and allowed no runs on 2 hits and struck out 1. Lisa Norris entered the game for the Racers and got Duran to ground into a fielder’s choice and get Lowe out at second. Norris threw the final 1.1 innings for the Racers and allowed one run on one hit to record the save.

The Racers extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth, when Schlopy reached base on an error by Watley and scored on Montalvo’s single to left field. Montalvo advanced to second on the throw home, and scored on Thomas’ single to right. Karino tripled to drive in Thomas and give the Racers an 8-2 lead. Karino’s triple made her the league leader in triples this season, with 3.

The Pride added a single run in the seventh on Kelly Kretschman’s solo home run off of Norris, to make the final score 8-3.

The Racers return to Firestone Stadium on August 9th and 10th for their final two home games of the season against the USSSA Pride. August 9th is Pink the Park and the Racers will auction off the autographed Pink the Park jerseys, with the proceeds going to help local individuals who cannot afford mammograms. August 10th the Racers will thank the fans for their support this season with Fan Appreciation Day. For more information about the Akron Racers or to order tickets, visit http://www.akronracers.org/or call (330) 376-8188.

Records: Pride (28-14), Racers (22-20)
Next Game: Friday, August 9 at 7:05 PM EDT USSSA Pride vs Akron Racers at Firestone Stadium - Akron, OH.
About USSSA Florida Pride
The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.
About Akron Racers
The Akron Racers, headquartered in Akron, OH, are the oldest existing team in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league. The Racers competed in the Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL) for two seasons in 1999 and 2000 and in the NPF since 2004. Historic Firestone Stadium is home to the Racers and numerous amateur events at all levels of play. The Racers kick-off their 13th season of play in 2014.

About National Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.